In all fairness, a one-page recap won’t nearly cover my love for St. Norbert College, how much
my SNC educational experience means to me, or how significantly the College has impacted
and influenced me and my family. SNC is woven within and has been since as far back as I can
remember.
As my two siblings would also attest, we knew about the Norbertines and Norbertine values
from very early on, growing up with our uncle, Stephen J. Rossey, O. Praem. Himself an SNC
alum, “Uncle Jim” as he was to us, would always encourage and motivate us to learn, learn,
learn, and he has lived that himself, staying sharp as sharp can be to present day. When we
were little and into adulthood, he never gave us answers to our questions, and although irritating
at times, we learned how to learn. Instead of crayons and a coloring book, he’d instead give us
blank paper and tell us to create something. He’d bring his confreres to dinner at our house,
and we’d laugh and learn from them, and they still talk about those days now. Uncle Jim teased
us mercilessly, but to this day, he cares deeply for us and our own children, loving us
unconditionally and championing the unique people we’ve all become.
Over the years, Uncle Jim has been, at least for me, a brilliant reflection and time-tested
supporter of what it means to be both Norbertine and a Green Knight. He has shown me in real
time what it means to live ‘communio’ and how, as lay people, we can be Norbertine and
Catholic in so many wonderful ways. More than ever, the call to love one another has come
alive for me, a small seed planted so many years ago, nurtured along at the College, and put to
work in my every day. My siblings, daughter, and I are all alumni, and we have a foundation that
cannot be replicated elsewhere. Sure, all colleges and universities say they are unique, but
SNC really is, and it is this that makes the College so special and so near and dear to our
hearts.
It has been my privilege to continue my relationship with SNC for the last 20+ years, as part of
the Alumni Board, a coach for softball student-athletes, and now as a team chaplain. In
addition, a dozen of my Green Knight teammates from 1986-1993 and I gather once a year to
celebrate joys, support through challenges, and provide a cherished consistency and
authenticity. I am grateful for all the ways I can stay engaged with SNC because it warms my
heart, rekindles the Holy Spirit within, and reminds me of the role we all play in being and
bringing Jesus’ love to one another, whatever that might look like.
As we navigate the challenges of higher education today, we are called to stay true to
communio and Norbert of Xanten’s commitment to love and radical hospitality.
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